Kalotermes flavicollis

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Barbara Mantovani - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Molecular systematics, biogeography, and colony fusion in the European dry-wood termites Kalotermes spp. (Blattodea, Termitoidae, Kalotermitidae).
    Bulletin of entomological research, 2017
    Co-Authors: V. Scicchitano, Barbara Mantovani, Franck Dedeine, Andrea Luchetti
    Abstract:

    European dry-wood termites belong to the genus Kalotermes (Kalotermitidae), one of the two termite genera in Europe. Until the recent description of two new species, Kalotermes italicus in Italy and Kalotermes phoenicae in the eastern Mediterranean area, Kalotermes flavicollis was the only taxon known in this region. The presence of additional entities, suggested by morphological and physiological variation observed in K. flavicollis, was supported by molecular studies revealing four distinct genetic lineages: lineage A, K. flavicollis sensu strictu, from the Aegean area to Italy; lineage B, in Tuscany; lineage SC, in Sardinia and Corsica; lineage SF, in southern France. Lineages A and B may form mixed colonies, suggesting hybridization. To draw a more detailed picture of Kalotermes evolution and biogeography in Europe, we analyzed samples from previously unsampled areas, such as Spain and southern Italy, by means of the highly informative cox1/trnL/cox2 mitochondrial DNA marker. Overall, phylogenetic analyses confirmed previously identified lineages and taxa, but widened the distribution of the lineage SC to the mainland and of the lineage SF to Spain and Portugal. Results further provided evidence for the synonymy between lineage B and K. italicus. Species delimitation analysis suggested that the three K. flavicollis lineages, as well as K. italicus, can be separate taxa. Data also suggest a possible interspecific hybridization between K. italicus and both K. flavicollis lineages A and SC.

  • Kflavicollis_msat_data+mtDNA_haplo
    2016
    Co-Authors: Andrea Luchetti, Alessandro Velona, Franck Dedeine, Barbara Mantovani
    Abstract:

    Microsatellite dataset for the 11 colonies of Kalotermes flavicollis (Isoptera:Kalotermitidae) + corresponding mitochondrial DNA haplotype

  • Extreme genetic mixing within colonies of the wood-dwelling termite Kalotermes flavicollis (Isoptera, Kalotermitidae)
    Molecular ecology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Andrea Luchetti, Alessandro Velona, Franck Dedeine, Barbara Mantovani
    Abstract:

    The existence of altruism in social insects is commonly attributed to altruistic individuals gaining indirect fitness through kin selection. However, recent studies suggest that such individuals might also gain direct fitness through reproduction. Experimental studies on primitive wood-dwelling termites revealed that colony fusion often causes the death of primary reproductives (queen and king), allowing opportunities for workers to inherit the nest by developing into replacement reproductives (neotenics). Therefore, colony fusion has been proposed as an important factor that may have favoured sociality in termites. However, whether colony fusion occurs frequently in natural populations of wood-dwelling termites remains an open question. We analysed eleven colonies of the wood-dwelling termite Kalotermes flavicollis (Kalotermitidae), using two mitochondrial and five nuclear microsatellite markers. Nine of eleven colonies (82%) were mixed families, with offspring of three or more primary reproductives. To our knowledge, this result represents the highest frequency of mixed-family colonies ever reported in termites. Moreover, genetic mixing of colonies appeared extreme in two ways. First, the number of haplotypes per colony was exceptionally high (up to nine), indicating that colonies were composed of multiple queens' offspring. Second, some mixed-family colonies included individuals belonging to two highly divergent genetic lineages. F-statistics and relatedness values suggest that mixed-family colonies most likely result from colony fusion, giving support to the accelerated nest inheritance theory. These findings raise important questions about the mode of foundation of mixed-family colonies and the evolutionary forces that maintain them within populations.

  • The Non-LTR Retrotransposon R2 in Termites (Insecta, Isoptera): Characterization and Dynamics
    Journal of Molecular Evolution, 2011
    Co-Authors: Silvia Ghesini, Mario Marini, Andrea Luchetti, Barbara Mantovani
    Abstract:

    The full-length element of the non-LTR retrotransposon R2 is here characterized in three European isopteran species: the more primitive Kalotermes flavicollis (Kalotermitidae), including two highly divergent mitochondrial lineages, and the more derived Reticulitermes lucifugus and R. urbis (Rhinotermitidae). Partial 3′ sequences for R. grassei and R. balkanensis were also analyzed. The essential structural features of R2 elements are conserved in termites. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that termite elements belong to the same clade and that their phylogeny is fully compatible with the phylogeny of their host species. The study of the number and the frequency of R2 insertion variants in four R. urbis colonies suggests a greatly reduced, or completely absent, recent element activity.

  • Mitochondrial and nuclear markers highlight the biodiversity of Kalotermes flavicollis (Fabricius, 1793) (Insecta, Isoptera, Kalotermitidae) in the Mediterranean area
    Bulletin of entomological research, 2011
    Co-Authors: Alessandro Velona, Mario Marini, Silvia Ghesini, Andrea Luchetti, Barbara Mantovani
    Abstract:

    The biodiversity of the European termite Kalotermes flavicollis is here studied through the analysis of mitochondrial (303 bp of control region and 912 bp of COI/tRNA Leu /COII) and nuclear (five microsatellite and 20 Inter-SINE loci) markers on 18 colonies collected in Southern France, Corsica, Sardinia, peninsular Italy, the Balkans and Greece. Different statistical analyses (Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, parsimony network, F -statistics, PCA) were performed. Mitochondrial sequences produced an unresolved polytomy including samples from peninsular Italy, Balkans and Greece, and three main clades: southern France, Corsica-Sardinia and Portoscuso (SW Sardinia). Nuclear markers confirm these data, further highlighting a more significant divergence at the regional scale. The results obtained for the peri-Tyrrhenian area agree with major paleogeographic and paleoclimatic events that shaped the biodiversity of the local fauna. K. flavicollis biodiversity and its phylogeographic pattern are also evaluated in the light of the data available for the other native European termite taxon (genus Reticulitermes ), in order to produce a more complete scenario of the Mediterranean. In the area comprised between southern France and Italy, the degree of diversity is similar; however, in the eastern area, while K. flavicollis is differentiated only at the population level, the genus Reticulitermes comprises at least six entities of specific and/or subspecific level. This discrepancy may be explained by taking into account the different evolutionary histories of the two taxa.

Maistrello Lara - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Polyamidoamines (PAAs) functionalized with siloxanes as wood preservatives against fungi and insects
    2017
    Co-Authors: Bergamonti Laura, Maistrello Lara, Palanti Sabrina, Berzolla Alessia, Chiappini Elisabetta, Feci Elisabetta, Predieri Giovanni, Vaccari Giacomo
    Abstract:

    A novel treatment based on polyamidoamines (PAAs) for the preservation of wood against fungi and insects with a broad protection functionality, low effective concentration, and low environmental impact has been developed. PAAs were synthesized by nucleophile addition of ethanolamine (EtA) and/or 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to N,N′-methylene-bisacrylamide (MBA). The molar ratios in the tested formulation were: I) MBA:EtA=1:1; II) MBA:APTES=1:1; III) MBA:EtA:APTES=1:0.5:0.5. These formulations, characterized by ESI-MS, NMR, FT-IR, were tested against: (a) the wood decay fungi (Coniophora puteana, Coriolus versicolor, and Poria placenta); (b) the subterranean termite Reticulitermes lucifugus, and the drywood termite Kalotermes flavicollis; (c) the woodborer Stegobium paniceum. Tests in combination with leaching showed that formulation II and III can be utilized as fungal wood preservatives for use classes 2-3 (EN 335:2013). In addition, all PAAs formulations were equally effective in preserving wood against the subterranean termite, and formulation II was most effective against drywood termite. On the other hand, the formulation I showed good efficacy against S. paniceum

  • Wood impregnated with metal chelates dissolved in organic media tested for termite resistance
    2011
    Co-Authors: Maistrello Lara, A. Berzolla, I., Macias Pavon, F. Vignali, G. Predieri, E. Chiappini
    Abstract:

    Wood manufactured products are subjected to biological decay due to fungi and insects. The use of copper chelates as biocides was proposed, due to their high stability which minimizes copper leaching in the environment. Considering the remarkable effectiveness showed by copper chelates on brown rot fungi, zinc and copper chelate complexes were prepared in order to have metal chelates soluble in organic media available. The present study aimed at evaluating these metal chelates complexes as preservative agents for wood treatment against termites. Trials were performed on Reticulitermes lucifugus (Rossi) and Kalotermes flavicollis (Fabricius). Results showed that in both termite species wood consumption was significantly lower on Cu-chelates treated samples compared to untreated wood, whereas the wood slices impregnated with Zn-chelates and the organic media alone gave an intermediate response. Interestingly, in one case solvent-impregnated wood was significantly more attractive than untreated wood for both species and further investigations are being carried out to clarify this behaviour

  • Seasonal trends in the social composition and inside-trunk distribution of Kalotermes flavicollis (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) colonizing grapevines
    'Entomological Society of America', 2010
    Co-Authors: Maistrello Lara, R. Ocete, A. M. L&#211
    Abstract:

    The polyphagous drywood termite Kalotermes flavicollis can establish its colonies inside living trees, causing a progressive debilitation that ends with the death of the plant. For this reason it is considered one of the major pests of Sherry vineyards in Andalusia, SW Spain. In order to analyse the trends of colonization of this termite, a detailed investigation was performed during 16 months in seven districts of the Sherry area, cutting randomly selected grapevine trunks into six sections, from which all individuals were collected and counted according to their developmental instar or caste. The results allowed to detect variations in the social composition of the groups colonizing grapevines according to the spatial distribution inside the vine trunk and in the numerical trends over the seasons. A pattern of seasonal migrations of the termites inside the trunk was inferred, with upward movements from spring to autumn and downward movements from autumn to winter. During winter, when termites were mainly located in the medium-basal sections of the trunk, a higher proportion of eggs and larvae was detected. Going from spring to summer, when the majority of the termites was located in the medium-upper sections of the trunk, there was an increase of nymphal instars followed, during autumn, by the appearance of alates, mostly located in the upper sections of the grapevine. Pseudergates and reproductives maintained their proportions and locations almost unchanged during the year

  • Termiti e viti: risposta di Kalotermes flavicollis e dei suoi simbionti al legno di vite attaccato da patogeni fungini
    place:Firenze, 2009
    Co-Authors: E. Pedroni, Maistrello Lara
    Abstract:

    Kalotermes flavicollis \ue8 una specie polifaga in grado di attaccare anche piante vive, come alberi da frutto e vigneti. Studi effettuati in Spagna mostrano negli ultimi anni un aumento per gravit\ue0 ed estensione degli attacchi da questa specie su vigneti di pregio in Andalusia. \uc8 stato dimostrato che alcune specie di termiti manifestano preferenza per il legno gi\ue0 attaccato da funghi saprofiti, verosimilmente in quanto questi degradandolo, rendono il materiale pi\uf9 digeribile, meno tossico e lo arricchiscono di sostanze azotate, vitamine ed altri composti utili. Alcune specie di funghi sono responsabili delle problematiche fitosanitarie pi\uf9 rilevanti per il legno della vite, come il Mal dell\u2019Esca e l\u2019eutipiosi.Il presente lavoro \ue8 parte di una indagine volta a comprendere se la presenza dei patogeni fungini nel legno di vite favorisce oppure ostacola l\u2019insediamento e lo sviluppo delle colonie di insetti sulla pianta. A questo scopo sono stati effettuati diversi tipi di prove volte ad indagare le preferenze alimentari di K. flavicollis nei confronti di legno di vite sano e/o con evidenti sintomi di patologie fungine (Mal dell\u2019Esca ed eutipiosi), analizzando anche gli effetti sulla vitalit\ue0 e sulla comunit\ue0 dei simbionti flagellati presenti nell\u2019intestino delle termiti. I risultati mostrano che il legno attaccato dai funghi era preferito significativamente rispetto a quello sano e che nelle termiti nutrite su quello affetto da eutipiosi alcune specie di flagellati erano particolarmente favorite. Si pu\uf2 quindi supporre che il legno di vite attaccato da questi funghi abbia delle propriet\ue0 che soddisfacendo i requisiti nutritivi dei flagellati, favorivano anche i loro ospiti. Indagini per chiarire se queste preferenze trovino riscontro anche in campo sono in corso

  • Incidence, size and structure of grapevine infesting groups of Kalotermes flavicollis (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae) in Sherry vineyards (Spain)
    California State University Chico, 2006
    Co-Authors: López Martínez, María Angeles, Maistrello Lara, Ocete Rubio Rafael
    Abstract:

    Grapevine trunks in Sherry vineyards (Andalusia, SW Spain), yielding important registered designation of origin wines, are seriously affected by the drywood termite Kalotermes flavicollis. In order to analyze the patterns and extent of occurrence of the infesting groups, a 16-month-long investigation was performed, during which termites collected from each colonized grape-vine trunk were recognized and counted according to the developmental stage or caste and the variation of caste proportions according to group size and season of occurrence was investigated. Results showed that different grapevine trunks exhibited different degrees of infestation, ranging from minuscule (0-50 individuals) to very large (more than 1000). Evaluating the composition and the occurrence of the colonizing groups, it was possible to determine that: a) minuscule groups, composed especially by eggs, reproductives, younger developmental stages and no alate adults, were probably 1-3 year old incipient colonies and occupied 12.6% of the infested grapevines; b) all groups with more than 50 individuals exhibited higher percentages of nymphal stages and, during fall, a considerable fraction (from 1/12 to 1/3) of the population was represented by alates, suggesting that they were mature colonies at different degrees of development. The greater part (64.2%) of infested vines were attacked by small-medium size colonies with a few hundred termites (51 -700) and about 8% alates. Groups with the highest potential of infestation such as large colonies (up to 1000 units and 20% alates) and very large ones (1000-1692 individuals and 34% alates) were found respectively in 14.7% and 8.4% of termite colonized grapevines. The importance of these findings for the management of Sherry vineyards is discussed.Fondo Europeo de Orientación y Garantía Agrícola 900ES01

G. Sbrenna - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Effetti di un analogo dell’ormone giovanile sul comportamento di Kalotermes flavicollis (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae)
    place:Parma, 2001
    Co-Authors: Maistrello Lara, A., Micciarelli Sbrenna, G. Sbrenna
    Abstract:

    L'influenza che l'ormone giovanile e i suoi analoghi hanno sui meccanismi di sviluppo degli insetti sono ben noti. Sappiamo infatti come questi ultimi siano in grado di interferire anche con la differenziazione castale degli Isotteri, determinando la trasformazione di individui non ancora differenziati in soldati ed intercaste. Non \ue8 invece ancora noto a quali modificazioni del comportamento diano luogo.Lo scopo di questa ricerca \ue8 stato quello di studiare l'effetto dell'Insegar\uae (un regolatore di crescita degli insetti a base di fenoxycarb con attivit\ue0 ormone giovanile-simile) sui patterns comportamentali di colonie sperimentali di Kalotermes flavicollis . Le colonie sono state poste in nidi artificiali contenenti un pezzo di legno di balsa (Ochroma lagopus) come substrato e sorgente di cibo, che nelle colonie trattate veniva imbevuto di una soluzione acquosa di Insegar\uae alla concentrazione di 1,46 \u3bcg di principio attivo (fenoxycarb) per cm quadrato di substrato. I membri della colonia, rappresentanti di tutte le caste e stadi di sviluppo, sono stati marcati singolarmente ed erano quindi chiaramente individuabili.Le attivit\ue0 e le interazioni sociali di tutti i componenti la colonia sono state video-registrate mediante una telecamera programmata in modo tale da registrare ogni 30 minuti, per un periodo totale di 21 giorni. I dati sono stati raccolti, mediante scan-sampling di tutti i soggetti di ciascuna colonia, utilizzando il programma The Observer (Ver. 3.0, Noldus, Wageningen). E' stato ricavato un etogramma per tutti gli individui della colonia, (basato su 19440 scans ottenuti in 240 ore di osservazione) composto di 19 elementi, raggruppati in 5 categorie comportamentali (attivit\ue0 individuale, nutrimento, comunicazione e interazioni sociali). I repertori comportamentali del re e della regina, basati su 720 scans, erano costituiti di 14 elementi raggruppati in 4 categorie comportamentali.Dai risultati appare evidente come la sostanza saggiata determini in K. flavicollis una progressiva modificazione del comportamento dei singoli e della colonia nel suo insieme, in particolare riducendo walking, vibrating e nest activities e incrementando il grooming

  • Effetti di un analogo dell\u2019ormone giovanile sul comportamento di Kalotermes flavicollis (Isoptera: Kalotermitidae)
    place:Parma, 2001
    Co-Authors: Maistrello Lara, A., Micciarelli Sbrenna, G. Sbrenna
    Abstract:

    L'influenza che l'ormone giovanile e i suoi analoghi hanno sui meccanismi di sviluppo degli insetti sono ben noti. Sappiamo infatti come questi ultimi siano in grado di interferire anche con la differenziazione castale degli Isotteri, determinando la trasformazione di individui non ancora differenziati in soldati ed intercaste. Non \ue8 invece ancora noto a quali modificazioni del comportamento diano luogo.Lo scopo di questa ricerca \ue8 stato quello di studiare l'effetto dell'Insegar\uae (un regolatore di crescita degli insetti a base di fenoxycarb con attivit\ue0 ormone giovanile-simile) sui patterns comportamentali di colonie sperimentali di Kalotermes flavicollis . Le colonie sono state poste in nidi artificiali contenenti un pezzo di legno di balsa (Ochroma lagopus) come substrato e sorgente di cibo, che nelle colonie trattate veniva imbevuto di una soluzione acquosa di Insegar\uae alla concentrazione di 1,46 \u3bcg di principio attivo (fenoxycarb) per cm quadrato di substrato. I membri della colonia, rappresentanti di tutte le caste e stadi di sviluppo, sono stati marcati singolarmente ed erano quindi chiaramente individuabili.Le attivit\ue0 e le interazioni sociali di tutti i componenti la colonia sono state video-registrate mediante una telecamera programmata in modo tale da registrare ogni 30 minuti, per un periodo totale di 21 giorni. I dati sono stati raccolti, mediante scan-sampling di tutti i soggetti di ciascuna colonia, utilizzando il programma The Observer (Ver. 3.0, Noldus, Wageningen). E' stato ricavato un etogramma per tutti gli individui della colonia, (basato su 19440 scans ottenuti in 240 ore di osservazione) composto di 19 elementi, raggruppati in 5 categorie comportamentali (attivit\ue0 individuale, nutrimento, comunicazione e interazioni sociali). I repertori comportamentali del re e della regina, basati su 720 scans, erano costituiti di 14 elementi raggruppati in 4 categorie comportamentali.Dai risultati appare evidente come la sostanza saggiata determini in K. flavicollis una progressiva modificazione del comportamento dei singoli e della colonia nel suo insieme, in particolare riducendo walking, vibrating e nest activities e incrementando il grooming

  • Intercaste ottenute in Kalotermes flavicollis e Reticulitermes lucifugus (Isoptera) in seguito al trattamento con l\u2019IGR fenoxycarb
    place:Parma, 2001
    Co-Authors: Maistrello Lara, A., Micciarelli Sbrenna, G. Sbrenna
    Abstract:

    Il fenoxycarb, un regolatore di crescita degli insetti, ha mostrato nei vari tests di laboratorio una grande efficacia come agente tossico verso le termiti sotterranee, causando elevata mortalit\ue0 e la produzione di intercaste. Jones (1984) ha evidenziato una produzione superflua di intercaste in colonie di Reticulitermes virginicus e Coptotermes formosanus esposte al fenoxycarb. Intercaste non funzionali sono state ottenute anche da operaie e ninfe di R. speratus trattate con la stessa sostanza (DOKI et al.,1984; TSUNODA et al., 1986).Lebrun (1967, 1970) impiantando i corpora allata e Springhetti (1975) trattando con farnesato di etile pseudergati di Kalotermes flavicollis disturbavano la differenziazione a soldato, ottenendo come risultato intercaste con tegumento poco pigmentato e con mandibole molto simili a quelle del presoldato. Recentemente Maistrello et al.( 2000) hanno evidenziato la capacit\ue0 del regolatore di crescita fenoxycarb di provocare mortalit\ue0 e alterare la differenziazione castale nelle due specie di termiti italiane K. flavicollis e R. lucifugus. Scopo di questa ricerca \ue8 stato quello di documentare, da un punto di vista morfologico mediante osservazioni al SEM, le caratteristiche di queste intercaste ottenute in seguito a trattamento con fenoxycarb. Le osservazioni hanno evidenziato che in K. flavicollis le intercaste hanno il capo diverso da quello dei soldati (in quanto rotondeggiante) e mandibole tozze che, dopo alcuni giorni dalla muta, appaiono scure solo nella met\ue0 distale e lungo il margine dentato mediano. Questi individui non vanno incontro a successiva muta a soldato come i normali presoldati. Le intercaste operaie-soldati di R. lucifugus sono caratterizzate da un torace e da un addome molto simili a quelli delle operaie e da una testa simile a quella del soldato sebbene pi\uf9 piccola e pi\uf9 biancastra. Le mandibole differiscono non solo perch\ue9 meno sclerotizzate, ma anche per una lunghezza minore e forma diversa. Anche in questa specie le intercaste non vanno incontro a successivi eventi di muta. Tutte le concentrazioni saggiate hanno provocato la differenziazione di "soldati intercaste" con caratteristiche intermedie tra lo stadio in cui l'animale si trovava al momento del trattamento e quello di soldato

  • Intercaste ottenute in Kalotermes flavicollis e Reticulitermes lucifugus (Isoptera) in seguito al trattamento con l’IGR fenoxycarb
    place:Parma, 2001
    Co-Authors: Maistrello Lara, A., Micciarelli Sbrenna, G. Sbrenna
    Abstract:

    Il fenoxycarb, un regolatore di crescita degli insetti, ha mostrato nei vari tests di laboratorio una grande efficacia come agente tossico verso le termiti sotterranee, causando elevata mortalit\ue0 e la produzione di intercaste. Jones (1984) ha evidenziato una produzione superflua di intercaste in colonie di Reticulitermes virginicus e Coptotermes formosanus esposte al fenoxycarb. Intercaste non funzionali sono state ottenute anche da operaie e ninfe di R. speratus trattate con la stessa sostanza (DOKI et al.,1984; TSUNODA et al., 1986).Lebrun (1967, 1970) impiantando i corpora allata e Springhetti (1975) trattando con farnesato di etile pseudergati di Kalotermes flavicollis disturbavano la differenziazione a soldato, ottenendo come risultato intercaste con tegumento poco pigmentato e con mandibole molto simili a quelle del presoldato. Recentemente Maistrello et al.( 2000) hanno evidenziato la capacit\ue0 del regolatore di crescita fenoxycarb di provocare mortalit\ue0 e alterare la differenziazione castale nelle due specie di termiti italiane K. flavicollis e R. lucifugus. Scopo di questa ricerca \ue8 stato quello di documentare, da un punto di vista morfologico mediante osservazioni al SEM, le caratteristiche di queste intercaste ottenute in seguito a trattamento con fenoxycarb. Le osservazioni hanno evidenziato che in K. flavicollis le intercaste hanno il capo diverso da quello dei soldati (in quanto rotondeggiante) e mandibole tozze che, dopo alcuni giorni dalla muta, appaiono scure solo nella met\ue0 distale e lungo il margine dentato mediano. Questi individui non vanno incontro a successiva muta a soldato come i normali presoldati. Le intercaste operaie-soldati di R. lucifugus sono caratterizzate da un torace e da un addome molto simili a quelli delle operaie e da una testa simile a quella del soldato sebbene pi\uf9 piccola e pi\uf9 biancastra. Le mandibole differiscono non solo perch\ue9 meno sclerotizzate, ma anche per una lunghezza minore e forma diversa. Anche in questa specie le intercaste non vanno incontro a successivi eventi di muta. Tutte le concentrazioni saggiate hanno provocato la differenziazione di "soldati intercaste" con caratteristiche intermedie tra lo stadio in cui l'animale si trovava al momento del trattamento e quello di soldato

  • Effects of fenoxycarb on the Italian termite species Kalotermes flavicollis and Reticulitermes lucifugus (Isoptera).
    Parma :Dipartimento di Biologia Evolutiva e Funzionale, 2000
    Co-Authors: Maistrello Lara, E. Manfredini, A., Micciarelli Sbrenna, G. Sbrenna
    Abstract:

    Groups of the two Italian termites Kalotermes flavicollis and Reticulitermes lucifugus were exposed to different concentrations of the Insect Growth Regulator fenoxycarb. Results showed a marked juvenile hormone analogue activity, since the substance induced, on both species, an abnormal appearance of intercastes. On K. flavicollis, fenoxycarb inhibited the differentiation to neotenic reproductives, but did not prevent larval moults. Caste unbalances induced by this IGR can cause a progressive weakening of termite colonies until extinction

Andrea Luchetti - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Molecular systematics, biogeography, and colony fusion in the European dry-wood termites Kalotermes spp. (Blattodea, Termitoidae, Kalotermitidae).
    Bulletin of entomological research, 2017
    Co-Authors: V. Scicchitano, Barbara Mantovani, Franck Dedeine, Andrea Luchetti
    Abstract:

    European dry-wood termites belong to the genus Kalotermes (Kalotermitidae), one of the two termite genera in Europe. Until the recent description of two new species, Kalotermes italicus in Italy and Kalotermes phoenicae in the eastern Mediterranean area, Kalotermes flavicollis was the only taxon known in this region. The presence of additional entities, suggested by morphological and physiological variation observed in K. flavicollis, was supported by molecular studies revealing four distinct genetic lineages: lineage A, K. flavicollis sensu strictu, from the Aegean area to Italy; lineage B, in Tuscany; lineage SC, in Sardinia and Corsica; lineage SF, in southern France. Lineages A and B may form mixed colonies, suggesting hybridization. To draw a more detailed picture of Kalotermes evolution and biogeography in Europe, we analyzed samples from previously unsampled areas, such as Spain and southern Italy, by means of the highly informative cox1/trnL/cox2 mitochondrial DNA marker. Overall, phylogenetic analyses confirmed previously identified lineages and taxa, but widened the distribution of the lineage SC to the mainland and of the lineage SF to Spain and Portugal. Results further provided evidence for the synonymy between lineage B and K. italicus. Species delimitation analysis suggested that the three K. flavicollis lineages, as well as K. italicus, can be separate taxa. Data also suggest a possible interspecific hybridization between K. italicus and both K. flavicollis lineages A and SC.

  • Kflavicollis_msat_data+mtDNA_haplo
    2016
    Co-Authors: Andrea Luchetti, Alessandro Velona, Franck Dedeine, Barbara Mantovani
    Abstract:

    Microsatellite dataset for the 11 colonies of Kalotermes flavicollis (Isoptera:Kalotermitidae) + corresponding mitochondrial DNA haplotype

  • Extreme genetic mixing within colonies of the wood-dwelling termite Kalotermes flavicollis (Isoptera, Kalotermitidae)
    Molecular ecology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Andrea Luchetti, Alessandro Velona, Franck Dedeine, Barbara Mantovani
    Abstract:

    The existence of altruism in social insects is commonly attributed to altruistic individuals gaining indirect fitness through kin selection. However, recent studies suggest that such individuals might also gain direct fitness through reproduction. Experimental studies on primitive wood-dwelling termites revealed that colony fusion often causes the death of primary reproductives (queen and king), allowing opportunities for workers to inherit the nest by developing into replacement reproductives (neotenics). Therefore, colony fusion has been proposed as an important factor that may have favoured sociality in termites. However, whether colony fusion occurs frequently in natural populations of wood-dwelling termites remains an open question. We analysed eleven colonies of the wood-dwelling termite Kalotermes flavicollis (Kalotermitidae), using two mitochondrial and five nuclear microsatellite markers. Nine of eleven colonies (82%) were mixed families, with offspring of three or more primary reproductives. To our knowledge, this result represents the highest frequency of mixed-family colonies ever reported in termites. Moreover, genetic mixing of colonies appeared extreme in two ways. First, the number of haplotypes per colony was exceptionally high (up to nine), indicating that colonies were composed of multiple queens' offspring. Second, some mixed-family colonies included individuals belonging to two highly divergent genetic lineages. F-statistics and relatedness values suggest that mixed-family colonies most likely result from colony fusion, giving support to the accelerated nest inheritance theory. These findings raise important questions about the mode of foundation of mixed-family colonies and the evolutionary forces that maintain them within populations.

  • The Non-LTR Retrotransposon R2 in Termites (Insecta, Isoptera): Characterization and Dynamics
    Journal of Molecular Evolution, 2011
    Co-Authors: Silvia Ghesini, Mario Marini, Andrea Luchetti, Barbara Mantovani
    Abstract:

    The full-length element of the non-LTR retrotransposon R2 is here characterized in three European isopteran species: the more primitive Kalotermes flavicollis (Kalotermitidae), including two highly divergent mitochondrial lineages, and the more derived Reticulitermes lucifugus and R. urbis (Rhinotermitidae). Partial 3′ sequences for R. grassei and R. balkanensis were also analyzed. The essential structural features of R2 elements are conserved in termites. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that termite elements belong to the same clade and that their phylogeny is fully compatible with the phylogeny of their host species. The study of the number and the frequency of R2 insertion variants in four R. urbis colonies suggests a greatly reduced, or completely absent, recent element activity.

  • Mitochondrial and nuclear markers highlight the biodiversity of Kalotermes flavicollis (Fabricius, 1793) (Insecta, Isoptera, Kalotermitidae) in the Mediterranean area
    Bulletin of entomological research, 2011
    Co-Authors: Alessandro Velona, Mario Marini, Silvia Ghesini, Andrea Luchetti, Barbara Mantovani
    Abstract:

    The biodiversity of the European termite Kalotermes flavicollis is here studied through the analysis of mitochondrial (303 bp of control region and 912 bp of COI/tRNA Leu /COII) and nuclear (five microsatellite and 20 Inter-SINE loci) markers on 18 colonies collected in Southern France, Corsica, Sardinia, peninsular Italy, the Balkans and Greece. Different statistical analyses (Bayesian phylogenetic analysis, parsimony network, F -statistics, PCA) were performed. Mitochondrial sequences produced an unresolved polytomy including samples from peninsular Italy, Balkans and Greece, and three main clades: southern France, Corsica-Sardinia and Portoscuso (SW Sardinia). Nuclear markers confirm these data, further highlighting a more significant divergence at the regional scale. The results obtained for the peri-Tyrrhenian area agree with major paleogeographic and paleoclimatic events that shaped the biodiversity of the local fauna. K. flavicollis biodiversity and its phylogeographic pattern are also evaluated in the light of the data available for the other native European termite taxon (genus Reticulitermes ), in order to produce a more complete scenario of the Mediterranean. In the area comprised between southern France and Italy, the degree of diversity is similar; however, in the eastern area, while K. flavicollis is differentiated only at the population level, the genus Reticulitermes comprises at least six entities of specific and/or subspecific level. This discrepancy may be explained by taking into account the different evolutionary histories of the two taxa.

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